The Lively Lady, Holborn Circus 1968

In 1968, Southsea greengrocer Alec Rose single-handedly sailed the Lively Lady around the world, becoming a national hero in the process. He was 59 years old, had minimal formal sailing training, and completed the 28,500-mile journey in 354 days with just two stops—one in Australia and another in New Zealand. Rose’s feat captured the imagination of the British public, who greeted his return to Portsmouth with huge crowds and national celebrations. He was later knighted for his achievement.

The boat can still be seen today in Portsmouth.